on trade, foreign investment and security. The return of the German car maker Volkswagen (VW) to the Kenyan market after four decades could not have been Magutt’s significant moment in his diplomatic career. His efforts culminated in the commissioning of the automobile assembly plant in Thika by president Uhuru Kenyatta in December 2016. In line with Kenya’s development blue print and Vision 2030, such an investment was welcome in spurring the manufacturing sector as well as creating job opportunities. Magutt successfully lobbied for Kenya to host the first ever German–Africa Business Summit in the African continent that brought together leading German companies and captains of the industry as well as African business entities and policy makers to Nairobi. The event which took place from 8–10 February 2017, brought together the who is who in Germany‘s business landscape and was thought to have generated German investment interest in Kenya. The German delegation was led by Gerd Muller, cabinet minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Magutt, negotiated for the resumption of direct Lufthansa passenger flights from Frankfurt to Nairobi ending an 18-year hiatus. This development has had positive impact on Kenya’s tourism and business traffic particularly considering that Germany is a key market source of tourism to the former. Magutt enjoyed close working relations with German leadership and worked closely with Chancellor Angela Merkel as well as members of parliament especially the Bundestag, as well as the key private sector entities viz SAFRI, IHK, KFW, BDI, Afrika Verein, a fact that enabled him to advance Kenya’s interests. Role in Kenya's politics and leadership Magutt was a member of the Orange Democratic Movement- Party of Kenya (ODM) campaign team in 2007 and contributed in campaign planning, strategy and writing of the party manifesto towards Raila Odinga's presidential bid in the 2007 general election In 2019 Magutt announced that he will contest the seat of Governor for Trans - Nzoia County in the 2022 national elections. In 2002 Joseph Magutt was nationally nominated KTN’s person of the year under forty, in what was billed "TOP 40 UNDER 40". This was a national survey of young people who had played significant national role and had distinguished themselves in leadership and influenced the lives of many positively. The nominees were voted by the public nationally. Media and professional engagements Magutt comments on local and international political and topical debates. His contributions feature in Kenya's leading